Where to rent in London in 2015 and 2016

Best areas to rent in the capital

A garden shed in someone’s living room was last week advertised to rent for £530 a month –  yes, you read that right.

Finding a decent room/house to rent in a decent area in the capital is such an excruciating process that every Londoner has a rant ready about renting in London.

Back in July, a study revealed that it’s actually cheaper to commute from Madrid each day than rent in Camden Town. (Read: 7 disgraceful stats about renting in London)

Given London’s renting ludicrousness, we’ve asked property experts to list the best places to rent in the capital, here’s what they told us.

 

East Village

Neil Young, CEO of Get Living London that owns and manages the private rented homes at East Village, said:

“East Village is London’s newest neighbourhood and the first Olympic legacy village.

“Set in 67 acres of parkland and positioned next to the world-class sporting venues of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, renting here offers world-class education at Chobham Academy, a state-of-the-art NHS health centre and an eclectic mix of independent shops, restaurants and cafés.

“Living in the former Athletes’ Village means living in a stylish and imaginatively planned neighbourhood – which showcases the best of British architecture.

“And – thanks to the excellent transport links through Stratford – East Village is one of the best connected neighbourhoods in London; it’s great for families and young professionals alike who can get to the West End in 20 minutes, St Pancras in seven minutes and London airports within an hour.”

 

 

Gunnersbury

Michael Bruce, CEO of estate agency Purplebricks.com, said:

“It might not be the most glamorous area of London, but Gunnersbury is within a stone’s throw of Chiswick and Kew and is also close to the river. The area is very well-connected for transport, with Tube, Overground and rail links nearby.

“You can get a two-bedroom flat for around £1750 per month. For that price, we even have one at the moment with a swimming pool. The area isn’t quite as family friendly as Chiswick, but you get an awful lot more for your money.”

 

Beckenham

Christopher Wall, partner at Proctors Beckenham branch, said:

“For those looking for a vibrant village with excellent transport links to central London and the city, Beckenham, in South-East London, is the perfect spot.  There are plenty of rental opportunities around, with purpose built flats or period conversions close to a station.

“The area is very popular with both young couples and families, as Beckenham offers everything from scenic parks, numerous sporting facilities and a buzzing high street with a great choice of high street chains and independent restaurants and coffee bars.  

“The town is currently planning a £3.2m development of the high street to enhance its ‘village’ identity. The works are set to start in 2016 so expect Beckenham to become even more desirable.”

 

Kensal Green

Another suggestion by Purple Bricks’ Michael Bruce:

“Kensal Green might be seen as the poor man’s Belsize Park, but it is now thriving with coffee shops and delicatessens. Its neighbour, Queen’s Park, has been on the ‘up and coming’ radar for a long time and its prices reflect that. Kensal Green, however, is more affordable and you’ll get a two-bedroom property for about £1500 a month. 

“With all these areas, the quality of the schools is variable, but the same is true of much more expensive areas. They are all lively areas with their own character and plenty of transport options.”

 

Bromley

Jeremy Gauntlett, partner at Proctors Bromley branch, said:

“Bromley is on the up! A £90m development by Bromley South station is currently underway meaning more restaurants, a new cinema, a hotel and luxury apartments. Intu Shopping centre is also being improved with a boutique cinema and new restaurants.  

“The area is extremely popular for renting, particularly near to Bromley South station, with direct links to London Bridge and London Victoria within 30 minutes. There are new-build flats and homes popping up all the time in and around the town, which will only boost Bromley’s rental opportunities.” 

 

Tooting

Another suggestion by Purple Bricks’ Michael Bruce:

“It’s always been seen as the poor relation of Clapham and Balham, but Tooting is on the way up with lots of work going on to freshen up the high street.

“It’s still a bit rough around the edges but you’ll be able to get a three-bedroom flat for £1750 per month, and still be close to a Tube station.  There is a great sense of community in Tooting that is missing from many areas of London.”

 

Anerley

Graham Cook, partner at Proctors Anerley branch, said:

“Anerley is nestled between the lively Crystal Palace and South Norwood offering an easy charm about it. Still low-key there is a soft hum of excitement surrounding this up-and-coming area with a brilliant choice of Victorian conversions available to rent.  

“Anerley is a stone’s throw away from Crystal Palace with pubs and restaurants a plenty and unique vintage shops, not to forget the infamous Crystal Palace Park for those who love the outdoors.  

“When it comes to location, the appeal of Anerley is its excellent transport links to London, with the East London Line at Anerley Station with services to Whitechapel and Shoreditch. You can also hop on the tram to Croydon and Wimbledon.” 

 

 

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